BOSTON — At around 10:30 p.m., Bruins PR let the media know there would be an announcement coming.

Twenty minutes later, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported that Boston acquired center Chris Kelly from Ottawa for a second-round pick. The Bruins have since confirmed the deal.

Kelly is on the books for this year and next at $2.125 million. He is a natural center and a left shot who should fit in as the third-line center with rookie Tyler Seguin shifted back out to the wing.

This season, Kelly has 23 points (12 goals) in 56 games. He has never scored more than 38 points, and that was way back in 2006-07, the year a loaded Ottawa team went all the way to the Stanley Cup final.

Kelly comes at a cheaper price than Mike Fisher, but obviously isn’t the same type of two-way player as Fisher.

The pick is Boston’s own second-rounder. They still own Minnesota’s from the Chuck Kobasew trade of last fall.

Ramsey loved stuart while he was here. They have a very offensive defence with not the most physical back end. I know moving doesnt Bogosian isnt the best way to improve there D, But I can assure you they would love a stay at home physical D like stuart. Idk if we could get Bogosian but I know they atleast want stuart

who says they love stuart for one thing? for another if they love first round picks why would they trade the third overall from a couple years ago? i’m not saying you’re wrong just asking for some facts or reasons to back up this claim that atlanta wants to move this kid. one who they can likely keep on the cheap after a sub par year going into restricted free agency. i simply find it hard to believe.

i’m not negative just realistic. they want stuart over bogosian? i’d be shocked, shocked. the kid is a young stud defenseman that teams (like the bruins) search forever for. they aren’t going to trade him because they love stuart.

I don’t get the hate on this trade. Kelly is a good player and this is a good price. He is an upgrade from Seguin at center, allows Seguin to play wing, and automaticlly bumps someone like Wheeler and Paille out of the lineup. We can only hope that Wheeler or Paille is dealt off this team in a large deal, or simply put in the minors. Kelly is a good player and will likely be more effective than a post-concussion Savard anyways. He is a 20 goal scorer and has won the whole thing. I want a team full of those.

Bogosian is a young stud and would take probably both first rounders we have and a prospect. If it cost our first rounder, Minny’s second rounder and Wheeler…done. I am in on that. I would deal Toronto’s first rounder for Richards, although that is quite scary considering he is an FA. I think it would be possible to get both, but who knows. I don’t want Parise, he is damaged. I would trade anything to get Iginla. Anything, probably except Rask. Both first rounders, Wheeler and a prospect (Caron?)

People have to stop thinking that other teams want Paille or Hammil. Those two have little or no value. The only prospects we have that are worth anything to teams are Kampfer, Bartowski, Coburne, Caron, Knight, Spooner and Sauve.

I agree with Neely. I want a team facelift. After watching them toil in inconsistency, this team needs to be revamped. Not blown up, just revamped. It starts now with sending Wheeler into the fog with some sort of trade and picking up character guys like Kelly. We need more players like Bergeron, Campbell and Marchand, and less like Ryder and Wheeler, who seem to try when it is convenient for them (interesting how Ryder has suddenly picked up his game….seems so weird with free agency pending…)

I know what you’re saying about Kovie. Put him on the fourth line if he dogs it and use him for the power play. If he’s happy with his linemates and he gets hot who knows.I’m sure he’s knows that his time is limited.Penner did come to Edmonton out of shape but has matured some. I’ve watched him play a bit this year and I thought he skated hard and he wears an ‘A’ so thats got to say something.

I wouldn’t want Kovalev. I know he’s a talented player, but I’ve long thought he was soft based on his play in games from when he was in Montreal. I also wonder how much he has left at this stage in his career.

Penner is harder to gauge because he’s always played on the opposite side of the country. I remember that he was considered somewhat of a bust initially after he signed that big offer sheet with Edmonton when they stole him away from the Ducks. Of course, that was a few years, ago, and he has somehow managed 20 goals this year on the recovery project that is the Oilers. Hmm.

I too don’t have a problem with Kabby. Someone said they didn’t notice him. That’s not a bad thing when your plus1 with an assist. Who on our blueline has the skill of the smooth skating Czech? I know he’s not Scott Stevens but he makes things look pretty easy in terms of retrieving pucks and making passes.

This just in- Chiarelli trades Michael Ryder and a bag of pucks to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Rick Nash. Ryder will be demoted to the AHL but the bag is expected to start at center for the Jackets tomorrow.

Yah i agree, but from the time chiarelli has tooken over he has refused to go after the big name. Exactly why now i see that Neely definitley has his hands more in the process. I mean I wouldnt mind getting kaberle cuz it is a definite need for this team down the stretch but its not gunna change the team. They need him and a power winger to be legitemate. And after watching these last 3 games and seeing the Flyers getting Versteeg, how can you sit back and not make a massive move?

“But i also just believe that chiarelli is afraid to make the big move.”

That may or may not be, but I think the bigger issue is whether you buy the idea that Neely has some legitimate clout. Based on what’s been said in interviews, especially today by Neely on 98.5, I’m kind of looking at this situation right now, if it wasn’t already, as one where management collectively is running this ship, not just the GM. And that can only be seen as a good thing…Neely honestly doesn’t seem the type to sit on his hands with the integrity of this team on the line.

Also curious, for those not big on Kaberle, who do any of you have in mind for a defenseman who is legitimately attainable?

But i also just believe that chiarelli is afraid to make the big move. I honestly just want to know if the management give a crap ya know? like just show us as loyal fans that you guys actually care. Go for it, make that big move and if it fails at least we know you guys want to win

Someone else was saying that we’re playing like everyones waiting for the other shoe to drop. I agree. The sooner we do something the better. I think that a lot of mgmt. people feel some heat and it’s trickled down. The fact they feel some heat is good. That’s the nature of the beast. Chia and CJ are getting into the show me period. How many years do most GMs/coaches get?

If yesterdays Versteeg deal was any indication on the price Brian Bure is asking for Kaberle I for one would allow him to become a free agent this summer and make a cup run next year. There are some nice Defencemen in the draft in the summer. Lets not mortgage a really bright future for an ill timed cup push.

“For this team to make it to the cup they need that offensive defenseman and a 1-2 foward”

True, but as you note and we all realize, Boston has plenty of pieces to work with still. No reason we can’t have a solid if unsexy third line center and then add a power winger. The fact that they’ve only gotten rid of one of two second round picks and were able to make an upgrade to a position that badly needed it is a good sign. Personally, I think the bigger issue was always on the wing anyway…consider the positions of the so called power forwards who have been giving us fits all season with their inconsistent play.

That was my initial thought as well, but for the short term it probably just sends Paille back to the bench.

However, I still tend to agree there are more chips yet to fall. I’m curious if this was the imminent trade Neely was referring to, given that it seems fairly obvious the Boston and Toronto have been having some serious discussions.

So long as this is not ‘the’ move, I think this is smart. They have addressed a legitimate need by acquiring a veteran center, and in the process they can get Seguin back on the wing, which is clearly the right place for him at this critical juncture of the season. It’s not the name player we were all waiting for, but I think it was a necessary first step.